St Albans Council takes tax payments one day early due to 'computer error'

THOUSANDS of council tax payments were taken a day early from residents bank accounts due to a computer error. St Albans District Council s monthly direct debit run for the new 2009/10 financial year was activated yesterday with payments taken which were

THOUSANDS of council tax payments were taken a day early from residents' bank accounts due to a computer error.

St Albans District Council's monthly direct debit run for the new 2009/10 financial year was activated yesterday with payments taken which were not due until today (Wednesday).

Robert Doherty of Watsons Walk, St Albans said: "Their mistake means I will have to pay an overdraft fee because they took my money a day early."

He said that a council officer had told him that 33,000 people were affected by the error.

A statement on the council's website apologising for the mistake made it clear that any bank charges incurred due to the error would be refunded if residents contacted them supplying evidence.

But Mr Doherty said: "What worries me is where the money to pay for people's bank charges is going to come from. I object to paying for other people's mistakes."

He added that the bill could run into thousands of pounds which could be added onto council tax payers' bills next year.